10 ways to find relief from Christmas pressure

I felt it this weekend — and just after writing about keeping focused this Christmas season. Naturally. It’s the weight of stuff and traditions and good deeds and tiny little blinky lights and the destitute and the fatherless and… (now breathing into paper bag). I’m certain that the seasonal pressure could push some sweet people completely over the edge.

So as I waited in our gas-guzzling vehicle, while the lumberjack of a man loaded our Christmas tree, with a list creating itself in my brain as if on auto-pilot, I remembered to pause. I remembered to stop. Thank you, Lord.

 

 

Because all. we. have. is. this. moment. And if I choose to waste it worrying about tomorrow and the 1003 things I think I “need” to do, then I lose the gift of here and now. And if I forfeit the gift of here and now enough, then in the end I will forfeit days, weeks, or even years. And that would be a travesty.

 

This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

Christmas will happen. In 30 days we’ll wake up to Christmas morn. In the meantime, crumbling under the weight of holiday pressure is optional.

 

10 ways to find relief from Christmas pressure:

1. Sing “Silent Night.” (Classic peace-bringer)
2. Choose one thing to take off your Christmas “to-do” list. (I dare you.)
3. Start laughing uncontrollably. (Think “Money Pit”)
4. Ask God’s opinion on how you should spend your time. (aka “pray”)
5. Bundle up and go for a walk. (Or run)
6. Choose just one thing to get done today. (Only one)
7. Hug your Christmas tree. (Or not)
8. Get alone and mentally escape to your happy place for 2 minutes. (Set a timer)
9. Look at family pictures of past Christmas’.
10. Decide that loving the person in front of you is the only real task at hand.

 

Fill me, Lord…

What else would you add to this list?